Nunawading highway patrol: Police warning following pedestrian, cyclist crashes

A traffic cop has warned of increased patrols to stop a surge in recent crashes in Melbourne’s east involving pedestrians and cyclists.

Pedestrians have been warned of a crackdown on crossing roads safely after three people were hospitalised in a spade of ”completely avoidable” accidents in Melbourne’s east.

Nunawading highway patrol Sergeant Paul Egan said his team had attended three accidents within seven days in their service area, involving pedestrians, cars and a cyclist.

On July 21, a 76-year-old Hawthorn man was hit by a Toyota Corolla driven by a 19-year-old Surrey Hills man on Burke Rd, Camberwell at 8am.

Sgt Egan said the elderly man did not use a pedestrian crossing which was 100m away, and failed to see the car coming in his path.

He was taken to The Alfred Hospital in a non-life threatening condition for observation.

On July 18, a 60-year-old Mount Waverley woman was hit by a Toyota station wagon while crossing Middleborough Rd at 8.30am.

Sgt Egan said the driver, a 43-year-old Ferntree Gully woman, was turning left and failed to see the pedestrian as she crossed the road.

The 60-year-old woman suffered minor injuries and was taken to The Alfred hospital for observation.

On July 14, a cyclist was hit by a learner driver on Riversdale Rd in Camberwell at 5.35pm, near Alamein railway station.

The rider, a 48-year-old Burwood East man, suffered a graze to the head and was taken to Box Hill Hospital for assessment.

Sgt Egan said the drivers involved in the Burwood East and Camberwell crashes would receive penalty notices for failing to give way.

He said police were concerned about the trend in accidents involving pedestrians and other road users, which mirrored a recent spike across Victoria.

“These are ones where both pedestrians and drivers are at fault … they were all completely avoidable,” Sgt Egan said.

“Pedestrians to look after themselves because they are vulnerable on the roads, and need to take some responsibility for their safety.

“It’s also on the driver that they are doing the right thing by keeping an eye out for cyclists and pedestrians, and not speeding, using phones or being distracted while they’re driving.”

Sgt Egan said the unit was developing operations in conjunction with the Transport Accident Commission targeting the issue, which would be rolled out in the near future.

“We are reflective of statewide stats that indicate a rise in crashes involving pedestrians (in our police service area),” he said.

“It’s not just the ones killed, it's the ones hospitalised left with life-changing injuries, and the ripple effect can impact so many people.”